ADH: Mumps Spreads To Central Arkansas

Share this:

ADH: Mumps Spreads To Central Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KFSM) — The Arkansas Department of Health announced on Wednesday (Oct. 26) that a few cases of mumps have been reported in Pulaski County in central Arkansas.

This is the first report of cases spreading outside Northwest Arkansas, where the first reports of mumps came in August.

So far, no schools in Pulaski County have been affected, according to an Arkansas Department of Health press release.

The department of health reported that as of Wednesday, there were 769 suspected and confirmed cases of mumps in the the state.

In wake of the mumps outbreak, the health department has been urging everyone to double check that they are up to date on their Mumps, Measles and Rubella vaccination.

The CDC has the following MMR vaccine recommendations:

For children younger than 6 years of age, one dose of MMR vaccine at age 12-15 months, followed by a second dose of MMR vaccine at age 4-6 years.

For children age 7 through 18 years not previously vaccinated, one dose of MMR vaccine or MMRV (Mumps, Measles, Rubella, and Varicella) vaccine, followed by a second dose of either MMR vaccine or MMRV vaccine at least 4 weeks after the first dose.

In outbreak situations, a third dose of the MMR vaccine may be safely recommended in certain settings where transmission has occurred, such as schools.

For adults born in 1957 or later and not previously vaccinated, one dose of MMR vaccine.

A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for adults born in 1957 or later, who are students in a post-secondary educational institution, work in a health care facility, or plan to travel internationally. The second dose should be administered a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.